MARC JACOBS VS. WISHAW: 80s REBELLIONS

Marc Jacobs’ iconic manifesto: 80s New Wave. So “against the tide”, so juvenile, so rebel. Rebel like Jonathan Coe, like his story about decay, the family Wishaw and the degrading influences of a rigour-based society. Margaret Thatcher’s years meet on one hand corruption, on the other uprising. The catwalk livens up with androgyny and sparkling colours, maybe in order to show itself to the family described by Coe, apparently perfect enough to conceal the world’s evil.
Rock outfits hold the stage: suits, oversize pants adorned with stars, satin bomber jacket and sequin frocks. This light excess annihilates the regime. Like the New Wave, a fresh image opposed to rigidity.

Here it is a new Fashion – Book crossover. We couldn’t help quoting Jonathan Coe’s writings. His novel “The Wishaw Legacy” is the corruption expression caused by the 70s and 80s strict Thatcherism. The author manages to intertwine different plots: from the United Kingdom to the Falkland war, from the ruthless family, the personification of concealed rot, to young Michael Owen’s failure, Wishaw’s personal biographer.
Coe answers back to the obliges and rigour of those years by rising up against them. He answers back by telling the rich family Wishaw’s tale: he describes vices, vanity, profligacy, without falling into obvious rhetoric. Coe favours cruel irony and black humour, likewise Marc Jacobs describes the New Wave as a desire of rebellion, strong enough to show itself not only in music, but also in the daily life, becoming an actual artistic and cultural wave. The answer on the catwalk? Metallic wedge heel shoes, multicolour dreadlocks, miniskirt and sparkling lights.

Diverse facets of the same movement appear
as a pleasant bond enchanting and galvanizing all at once. And what about you? Have you already read Coe’s novels? What do you think about Marc Jacobs’ little detachment from 90s’ style, which has been overused nowadays? Please write your comments below.

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